After An Educator's Journey

Out of the classroom & into the universe

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Once upon a time, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Now I’m retired and working on new ventures.
I taught second, third and fourth graders. Teaching was my passion and joy for 30 years. And it didn’t hurt that they called me “mom” sometimes.

Tag: math

  • Cramming or Happiness?

    I can’t be alone in thinking that this stretch of the academic year could be better used.  We have been practicing for state tests, administering state tests, and administering district assessments since March. Here we are 2 months later getting ready for the next round of state assessment and end-of-year assessments. If you are ready…

  • Math, Flexible Thinking

    My fourth graders had a burning question all year long: How old are you? I’m not so much embarrassed by my age, as I am shocked at how quickly I got to this ripe spot in my timeline.  However, having said that, I do not directly answer that question. Instead, I always give the students…

  • Circle and Stars

    I don’t remember when I first came across this game — I suspect it was during a Math Solutions Summer workshop week. For certain, it is included in several of the multiplication resources Math Solutions publishes, including the Third Grade Month-by-Month resource. It is empowering to find a game that children can just pick up…

  • Daily Five and Math

    This year I’ve made an attempt to follow the “Sisters” in implementing the Daily Five and the Literacy Cafe. So far, I’m happy with what is starting to take shape. Conferencing is more focused. Tracking those kids who need more than a once a month reading conference, keeping kids accountable through the Literacy Cafe Menu,…

  • Asking Questions, Forming Equations

    Some part of the ARRA money allocated to the Lowell Schools is being used to give teachers time to look at assessments and collect data about how our students best learn.  Grade level teams and cross-grade level data teams have formed since late summer all with the purpose of methodically looking at our assessment data…

  • WNYC – Radiolab: Numbers (October 09, 2009)

    WNYC – Radiolab: Numbers (October 09, 2009). This broadcast from PRI’s Radio Lab on number is pretty interesting if you can stay with it.  If the interviewees are to be believed, I should have taken that Calculus course I failed in high school sometime around age 2.  That’s right. The researchers interviewed assert that babies…